Wishing a blessed Happy Vinayagar Chaturthi to all

On this auspicious day, let's glimpse into some famous Vinayagar temples in South India.

Vinayagar, the remover of obstacles and the embodiment of wisdom, is revered deeply in these sacred lands.

Some famous Vinayagar temples in South India include:

1. Adi Vinayagar / Naramukha Vinayagar - This refers to Lord Ganesha in his original form with a human head before acquiring his elephant head. This temple is located near Koothanur in Tamil Nadu

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#VinayakaChaturthi2025

Pic credit - to the respective owners 2. The Uchchhishta Ganapathy Temple, located at Manimoortheeswaram near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, is about 1,000 years old and stands on the banks of the Tamirabarani River. It is regarded as the largest Uchchhishta Ganapathy temple in Asia, with a five-tiered rajagopuram. The presiding deity, Uchchhishta Ganapati, a tantric form of Lord Ganesha, is uniquely shown with his consort Neelavani on his lap, symbolizing fertility and divine union.

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Imagine a place where three traditions unite - a Shaiva shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, yet run by a Jain family, with Madhwa Vaishnavite priests carrying out the rituals.

Here, devotion blends with service, as the temple offers free meals to lakhs of pilgrims every day. In the heart of the Western Ghats, this sacred land shines as a symbol of faith, charity, and oneness.

Descendants of the Pergade family run the temple management till date, with Dr. Veerendra Heggade being the current Dharmadhikari.

Yes, you guessed the temple right - it is none other than Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala temple.

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This divine place is also called Dharmasthala — “the abode of Dharma.” This temple is located in Dakshina Kannada, about 70 km from Mangalore.

The story begins nearly 800 years ago with Jain chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballalthi. One day, celestial beings known as the Dharma Deivas appeared in their home, pleased with the couple’s hospitality; they instructed Pergade to build a shrine dedicated to Lord Manjunatheshwara (Shiva) while also worshipping the guardian deities of Dharma. Obeying this command, Pergade installed a Shivalinga brought from Kadri, Mangalore.
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On a sacred islet (a small island) between the rivers Kaveri and Kollidam stands the first temple among the 108 Divya Desams. Devotees believe it to be Bhooloka Vaikuntam (heaven on earth) where Lord Vishnu Himself chose to rest.

This temple is also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati and Bhogamandabam.

It is the spiritual heart of Sri Vaishnavism, sung by the Azhvars in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham and revered for centuries.

This temple complex has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is included in UNESCO’s tentative list

This temple also received a UNESCO award for its efforts in cultural heritage conservation

With seven huge walls, massive gopurams, and streets filled with chants, this place feels like a divine city.

1/3 Welcome to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, spread across about 156 acres. The main deity is Lord Ranganatha, where Vishnu is seen in a reclining posture on the serpent Adisesha, along with Goddess Ranganayaki.

The temple legend is deeply tied to the Ramayana. It is said that the idol of Ranganatha first appeared before Lord Brahma, who worshipped it. Later it was given to King Ikshvaku of the solar dynasty and kept in Ayodhya for generations.

When Lord Rama ruled Ayodhya, he worshipped this idol too. After the war in Lanka, Rama gifted it to his devotee Vibhishana. On his way back, Vibhishana placed the idol on the banks of the Kaveri for his daily prayers. But once set down, the idol would not move again.

The Lord chose Srirangam as his eternal abode. To bless Vibhishana, the deity turned southwards; the major Vishnu temple where the Lord faces south.

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This is one of the rare temples where you can find Ramar in Sayana kolam (Reclining pose)

This temple is believed to be the origin of the divine prasadam that led to the birth of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna

Lord Ramar lay on a bed of darbha grass and fasted for 3 days, praying to the Ocean God to grant a path.

This is one of the sacred 108 Divya Desams

This temple is closely associated with Ramayana

1/4 Know This Unique Temple First

Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thirupullani, 10 km from Ramanathapuram and 64 Km from Rameswaram

Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Adi Jagannatha Perumal and Padmasini Thayar (Lakshmi)

There is a shrine for Dharbasayana Ramar in a reclining posture.

This temple is said to be built over 1000 years ago by Chola kings, later expanded by Pandyas and Nayak rulers. This temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower) facing east.

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The Temple with No Lingam – Avudaiyar Koil

What if I told you there’s a temple where Shiva isn’t seen—but felt?

Where the Lingam is missing, the rituals are quiet, and God lives in silence?

Welcome to Avudaiyar Koil in Tamil Nadu – a temple built for realization, not just worship.

Let me tell you why this place is unlike any other…👇

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The Story of the Saint Who Saw God – Manickavasagar

Long ago, a saint named Manickavasagar was sent by the Pandya king to buy horses.

But in Thiruperundurai, he heard Vedic chants under a tree. The teacher?

Lord Shiva himself, in disguise.

That moment changed everything. The horses were forgotten. He built a temple instead—with no idol, no Nandi, no Lingam.

He realized: God isn’t out there. He is within.

This became the sacred Unara Mukthi Sthalam—where one awakens to the truth.

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